Symptoms

Similar to the way a car needs gas to run, your body and brain need a constant supply of sugar (glucose) to function properly. If glucose levels become too low, as occurs with hypoglycemia, it can cause these signs and symptoms:

Heart palpitations

Fatigue

Pale skin

Shakiness

Anxiety

Sweating

Hunger

Irritability

Tingling sensation around the mouth

Crying out during sleep

As hypoglycemia worsens, signs and symptoms may include:

Confusion, abnormal behavior or both, such as the inability to complete routine tasks

Visual disturbances, such as blurred vision

Seizures

Loss of consciousness

People with severe hypoglycemia may appear as if they're intoxicated. They may slur their words and move clumsily.

Many conditions other than hypoglycemia may cause these signs and symptoms. A blood sample to test your blood sugar level at the time of these signs and symptoms is how to know for sure that hypoglycemia is the cause.

When to see a doctor

Seek a doctor's help immediately if:

You have what may be symptoms of hypoglycemia and you don't have diabetes.

Legal Conditions and Terms

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.